[IMG: ISA RC43 Roundtable] At the ISA RC43 Conference in Amsterdam last week I took part in a Roundtable discussion convened by Ken Gibb (Glasgow) on the possibilities of deresidualising social housing. I participated alongside Professors Ed Goetz (Minnesota), Rachel Bratt (Tufts) and Mike Darcy (Western Sydney). This is what we were there to discuss: In an age of mass home ownership, but one also characterized by an ageing society, public austerity, sovereign financial crises and other sources of anxiety and uncertainty, it may seem counter-intuitive to assert a case for a broader and stronger non-market housing sector. But on ...
I was in Lincoln yesterday and had a look at some of the Roman remains at the top of the hill near the cathedral. The Newport Arch is a third-century Roman arch and reputedly the oldest gateway in Britain through which traffic still passes. The Mint Wall, believed to have been the rear wall of the Roman basilica, is (like Leicester's Jewry Wall) a rare substantial survival of Roman civilian architecture. More about Roman Lincoln on The Heritage Trail.
Yesterday's Guardian had an interview with the former Liberal Democrat for children and families minister Sarah Teather in which she was extremely critical of Coalition immigration policy: "What alarms me is that the immigration proposals feel as if they're hewn from the same rock as welfare earlier in the year, where a lot of that again was about setting up political dividing lines, and trying to create and define an enemy. "It's got to a stage where it's almost unacceptable to say anything else, and it bothers me that there is a consensus among the three party leaders that they ...
Here's the agenda for next Thursdays meeting of Bar Hill Parish Council. It's slightly different than normal in that after the Open Forum (which is an invitation to anyone who wishes to attend to have any issue they want discussed by Councillors) there are three interviews for the vacant Councillor positions. I have previously worked with John (who is a former Parish Councillor) and Simon (on the Village Fete Committee). I'm looking forward to meeting Catherine! To be honest I've lost track on how many Councillors we have. Does three applications mean we have an election? I guess I'll find ...
Baby, You're a Firework... OK, maybe not a dead firework... Andrew
I went to my second SLF conference on a very hot Saturday in Manchester. You can read the review from my first one, last year, here First impressions were it was all very well organised and I saw a number of familiar faces and friends, including John Leech MP. I was accosted once for being a member of Liberal Reform - having run the Liberal Reform stand at the ALDC conference it seemed beyond at least one person why I would want to be at the Social Liberal Forum conference but otherwise seemed to pass without comment. As to why ...
A couple of summers ago I bought a copy of Electric Eden by Rob Young, which informed several Sunday music choices in the following months. This song by Devendra Banhart, right down to the mannered vocals, reminds me of some of those video. It seems I was on to something. Wikipedia says "Banhart's music is often associated with the New Weird America genre, along with Vetiver and Joanna Newsom". And the entry for New Weird America says: The musical style described as New Weird America is derived mainly from psychedelic rock and folk groups of the 1960s and 1970s, including ...
The Guardian website has an obituary of Lord Chitnis, who died on Friday. It describes him as "one of the most prominent fixers in centre-left politics from 1960 to the end of the 1980s". Pratap Chitnis was Eric Lubbock's agent when he won the 1962 Orpington by-election. The obituary also reveals that Chtinis fell out with Jeremy Thorpe in a pretty fundamental way: When Thorpe went on trial in 1979 for attempted murder and conspiracy to murder, Chitnis and some Liberal friends persuaded the former MP Peter Bessell to return to England from the US to be a witness. Bessell ...
Sun 14th
18:45
Teather's alternative voice on immigration: "it bothers me that there is a consensus among the three...
[IMG: teather_clegg] Good on Sarah Teather. This weekend's Guardian carries an excellent in-depth interview with the Lib Dem former children's minister by Decca Aitkenhead in which she makes clear her deep unease not only with the Coalition's immigration policy, but also the political consensus of the three party leaders that public concern about immigration means they must be seen to crack down on it, regardless of whether it's the actual cause of the problems the public is concerned with. Sarah begins by talking about the Tories' perverse decision to heap more and more responsibility for policing immigration onto ordinary citizens, ...
[IMG: Toward the Setting Sun: Columbus, Cabot, Vespucci, and the Race for America] What was it about the 1490s that meant that, simultaneously, Europe got to grips with the shape of the globe? That one generation - from the Bristol expeditions to the American coast from 1480 to the circumnavigation of the globe by Magellan's crew in 1522 - took the world maps from a handful of vague blobs with Jerusalem in the centre to an understanding of the whole globe. What is extraordinary is that those people who made the breakthroughs, notably Columbus, Cabot and Vespucci, all knew each ...
People seem to be reacting with astonishment to the fact that the book that J. K. Rowling published pseudonymously, through a major publisher, which got decent reviews in some newspapers, had only sold 449 copies in hardback in the last three months. Those people have obviously never written books. I've stopped looking at my Amazon [...]
Sorry for the ramble, as a rule I leave this up to others but I have not been around Margate old town or indeed the High Street so I was much please to see that much has improved since my last stroll around the town. Particularly impressive apart from the Joke shop and more gallery/gift shops which is the real spin off from Turner, a new hotel (Sands Hotel) which looked smart tidy and of high standard, secondly a new cocktail/restaurant Rickus were I and Mrs Me enjoyed very good lunch with top service and at a reasonable price. Also ...
Having read David Laws and Peter Mandelson on the topic, I decided to purchase Andrew Adonis's book on the coalition negotiations 'Five Days in May'. While this does not have the immediacy of the other books, it has the advantage of looking back from afar and assessing the author's views of progress and what coalitions could mean if, as some might expect, they are to be a common feature of UK politics. Formerly a Lib Dem, Adonis defected to Labour in 1995 and became a leading member of the New Labour project, serving as Head of the Policy Unit and ...
Many thanks to the 14,000 visitors who dropped by Lib Dem Voice this week. Here's our 7 most-read posts... Andy Murray, Virginia Wade and my experience of a small dose of Everyday Sexism (24 comments) by Stephen Tall Richard Grayson resigns from the party (127) by Mary Reid Shirley seeks to amend same-sex marriage bill: "Equality is not the same as sameness" (61) by Stephen Tall John Kampfner: "Clegg is set to be kingmaker again in 2015″ (43) by Stephen Tall Income inequality at its lowest since 1986 - a good result for the Liberal Democrats in Government? (42) by ...
Congratulations to Matthew, Oscar and Ben, year 6 pupils at Cheadle's Lady Barn House School who have won the CBBC competiton "You too can be an absolute genius". Matthew, Ben and Oscar's invention – reversible shoes – beat off competition from nearly 500 other schools across the country. You can see a video of the lads and their winning invention on the BBC website.
My latest in The New Statesman; went down better than usual. Can't think why.... "A principle isn't a principle until it costs you money", wrote Bill Bernbach, generally acknowledged to be the greatest adman of the 20th Century (which readers of the New Statesman may not necessarily view as the most worthy of monikers, but you'd have to admit, he knew how to turn a phrase).It's a sentiment that I suspect Ed Miliband would concur with. And more to the point, I suspect the public would concur with. If Labour can show they have made a decision that will cost ...
The Cycle circuit formally opened is now formally opened. We had a good day. Dani King was a nice lady and such an athlete.
Monday 22 July 3.30 pm to 6 pm at the Odd Down Community Centre, Odins Road, Bath This consultation will take the form of a drop-in session, whereby residents can come into the Centre, view the plans and discuss with council officers any issues or concerns they may have. The formal planning event will take place later. This is the opportunity to see the plans before they are submitted.
The acquittal of Travyon Martin's killer, George Zimmerman, earlier this morning is nothing short of a travesty and a knife through the heart of equal justice regardless of colour. This was a case that [...]
Sun 14th
15:15Nick Clegg's Letter from the Leader: "The Lib Dem vision for future economic growth and prosperity"
The Lib Dem leadership — as I noted here yesterday — is determined to get on the front foot on the economy. This autumn will see a leadership-proposed motion backing further capital investment ("within the fiscal envelope") while retaining the commitment to deficit reduction. Nick's letter this week is coordinated with that message, and in particular the importance for growth throughout the regions of the UK. Here's what he has to say... [IMG: libdem letter from nick clegg] On Thursday I visited the Toyota and Rolls Royce factories in Derbyshire to announce the latest round of the Regional Growth Fund: ...
Here's today's hand-picked selection that caught my interest... BBC News – JK Rowling writes secret crime novel under false name Gotta love that J.K. took the surname Galbraith for her pseudonym » Rowling writes secret crime novel http://bbc.in/10UcP09 Government reshuffle rumours bode ill for forward-looking Tories – Telegraph Deservedly strong defence of the impressive David Willetts by Matt D'Ancona ahead of poss Govt reshuffle http://bit.ly/15EPP75
[IMG: 2011-10-06 12.38.58 Spain] The newspapers are awash with summer best-reads at the moment, as well-known writers pick the books to relax with by the pool. You know the kind of thing: "It's at this time of year I typically embark on re-reading Proust's À la recherche du temps perdu, translating it into Russian (which I'm learning to relax as I prepare for my Grade 8 piano exam) from our rustic cottage in Tuscany." Or, alternatively: "Here's a book written by my mate." Always eager to copy a trite-and-tested and formula, here's my list. I almost certainly won't read them ...
The Telegraph reports on a disturbing development at Britain's borders in which thousands of innocent holidaymakers and travellers are having their phones seized and personal data downloaded and stored by the police. The paper says that officers use counter-terrorism laws to remove a mobile phone from any passenger they wish coming through UK air, sea and international rail ports and then scour their data. They add that the blanket power is so broad olice do not even have to show reasonable suspicion for seizing the device and can retain the information for "as long as is necessary". Data can include ...
Congratulations to Jane Dodds, newly selected as the Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary Candidate (PPC) for Montgomeryshire: [IMG: Jane Dodds selected for Montgomeryshire]
The Bird and The Bat • Writers, artists, editors, everyone taking part in... "you don't have to write comics FOR women, you just need to write comics that don't actively OFFEND them. Ones that don't scream, "you're not welcome here."" (tags: ) Brain's response to sweets may indicate risk for development of alcoholism If you've a sweet tooth you're more at risk of becoming an alkie. (tags: ) posted The Blood is The Life 13-07-2013 http://t.co/vFVa3vSxN6 on #dreamwidth (tags: (from twitter) dreamwidth ) utterly awesome article by @gracedent in the Indy http://t.co/KJRfHD99Xz (tags: (from twitter) ) Honest sex ...
An interesting snippet from Vince Cable's speech yesterday at the Social Liberal Forum conference: Cameron vetoed an Osborne / Cable deal last year on having mansion tax in return for changing top rate of tax reveals @vincecable #SLFconf — Mark Pack (@markpack) July 13, 2013
Sun 14th
08:35Reasons the British public are so often wrong (and suggestions for what to do about it)
Earlier this week, I set readers a quiz — The British public, eh? What do they know? — based on research undertaken by Ipsos MORI for the Royal Statistical Society and King's College London showing the British public is often wrong about what we think we know on a range of current social issues. For instance, we (collectively) massively over-estimate the proportion of people in this country who are black or Asian, or who are Muslim, or who are over 65. We also think, again wrongly, that crime is rising, and that more is spent on overseas aid than on ...
This application has been withdrawn. In the letter the agent says. In any event we will be looking to resubmit on the basis of the reduced footprint proposals.
6 Burnt House Cottages, Old Fosse Road, Odd Down Erection of 4no. terraced 3 bed dwellings with associated amenity space following the demolition of 6 and 7 Burnt House Cottages (Resubmission) If you want to write or email councilconnect@bathnes.gov.uk Lewis House Manvers St Bath BA1 1JG We feel this has gone on too long and should be brought back into use Reference:13/
Note from district council Mayor's Pride Awards 2013 24 October, Alban Arena Nominations close: 12 August, 5pm The Mayor is encouraging members to spread the word about the Mayor's Pride Awards! The initiative provides an opportunity for extraordinary individuals and outstanding organisations to be publicly recognised for the contribution they make to the local community. As an elected member you cannot make nominations yourself, but you are very much encouraged, and ideally placed, to suggest the idea to residents and community groups. Nominations in the following categories close 12 August: Community Champion of the Year. Cultural Innovation Award. Young Person ...
Sun 14th
08:12
Green Bin Tax - Has Labour run Sefton come unstuck with their attempted back door Council tax rise?
Following Lib Dem campaigning which highlighted what we all knew already i.e. that folks will not be 'volunteering' to pay Labour's back door Council tax rise, it seems that the comrades are sounding the retreat and looking for a way out. [IMG: epd_wheelie_bins_group] Frankly, why Labour ever thought residents would pay to have their green bins emptied beats me. What's more whilst the comrades on the cabinet that runs Sefton are all from Bootle, where there are fewer gardens, the biggest losers under the plan would be communities like Maghull where many houses have big gardens. Sudell Ward (North and ...
Sun 14th
08:00
Guest Post: Running The Race For Life Fundraising For Cancer Research (by Cllr Tumi Hawkins)
As I prepare myself mentally to run 5K on Sunday 14 July at 11am in Stevenage, I think to myself that this is about my journey to get fit as much as it is about raising funds for Cancer Research UK. You can help me do that by visiting my Race for Life fundraising page. In previous years, whenever the Cambridge event came up, I would tut-tut and say to my family "I would have loved to have run that if I'd known before hand and could have prepared for it". Well, as the saying goes "watch what you wish ...
You can download a high quality PDF of this poster here.
The Welsh Government's commitment to the Welsh Language has once more been called in to question after it emerged that a Statement on Welsh Language Standards promised for this month will now not be delivered until the autumn. Once again we find that the language is being pushed to the bottom of the agenda. A Written Statement from Leighton Andrews, the Minister responsible for the Welsh language at the time, clearly stated that an update would be given to Members at the start of the consultation period - mid-July 2013. There would then follow a three-month consultation before the Government ...
Though the Oscar Wilde trials are often seen as the archetypal Victorian scandal, there was an earlier cause for outrage, even more titillating to the general public: the 1870 trial of the transvestite and occasional prostitute Ernest Boulton and various of his associates, on the then extremely serious charge of sodomy. For years "Stella" — [...]
... the new Lib Dem PPC for Montgomeryshire.
